Chrysler Builds Final 4.7-Liter V-8 in Preparation for Pentastar V-6

Intermediate V-8 Engine Dropped in Favor of New V-6

In a move that was little surprise to anyone that has been watching Chrysler closely, the company announced the formal end of production for the long-running 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which has been sold under various names in its 15-year run as PowerTech under the Jeep Brand, and as the 4.7 Magnum in Dodge SUVs and Ram Trucks.

The 4.7-liter V-8 originally appeared in response to the launch of Ford's overhead-cam Triton modular V-8 engine family in the 1997 F-150. The engine produced 235 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque when it debuted, with the most recent twin-spark, high-output version making 310 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. Starting with the WK2-series Grand Cherokee and 2011 Dodge Durango, the 4.7 started to gradually fade from Chrysler's lineup, finally being offered solely in the Ram 1500. The introduction of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 in the Ram 1500 hastened the 4.7's demise, coming within 5 hp of its output, as well as offering superior fuel economy thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission.

The final 4.7-liter V-8 produced at Chrysler's Mack Avenue engine plant was commemorated in a ceremony in which workers signed the final engine, which will be on display in the engine plant's lobby. The Mack I engine plant will now transition to producing more Pentastar V-6 engines for use in the Ram, as well as a multitude of other Chrysler cars, trucks and SUVs.